Superstar
Nora Aunor Fan Site
Uncredited Article from one of the forums online. Email me if this is your article.

VILMA SANTOS' FORGETTABLE/UNFORGETTABLE MOVIES/SCENES
(or how the 2nd. best only to Nora Aunor has equalled, if not surpassed her perennial &
forever arch rival)

1. Trudis Liit, 1963 - a star, er, actress was born. Impressive start, easily cries on cue,
rewarded by the FAMAS for best child actress. She had a movie with Gloria Romero and Rita
Gomez in Anak, Ang Iyong Ina.

2. Larawan ng Pag-ibig, teleserye, 1963 - on ABS-CBN. She's the original TV drama
princess. Buckets of tears, the familiar high-strung acting, but forgiveable, she's just a kid,
please. Were there TV household ratings in 1963? The show was a hit, Larawan the movie
had to be done. The little brown girl from Iriga, Nora Villamayor, was a big Vilma fan.

3. Sa Bawa't Pintig ng Puso, 1964 - Vilma, the junior actress, no longer a child, not yet a
woman, found her niche in the adult drama troika of Marlene Dauden, Lolita Rodriguez, and
Eddie Rodriguez as the proverbial daughter caught in the menage a trois. Good company of
dramatic greats. Boring and unchallenging role of a good daughter in forgettable tearjerkers
followed: Iginuhit ng Tadhana, De Colores, Kasalanan Kaya? and Sino Ang May Karapatan?
(1968).

4. Dekada '70. The Nora Aunor phenomenon reduced the non-singer, middle-class crowd
pleaser Vilma to only the Superstar's shadow. And the battle for the gullible fans' imagination
and support has began. It's Nora all the way. Music, TV, radio. No contest. Vilma tried to sing,
to dance and act her way but she's miles behind the superstar.

5. And God Smiled at Me vs. Dama De Noche, 1972 - a German Moreno-directed escapist
fare vs. a dual-role directed flick by Emmanuel Borlaza at the QC FF. Nora's first best actress
award, Vilma's first of many defeats vs. La Aunor in the acting field. Nora's role was simple,
she was playing herself. Vilma's dual role had degree of difficulty. She had a breakdown
scene, with the camera showing a close up of Vilma crying and laughing all at once - the
"luka-luka role." Many fans and critics diasgreed with the verdict. Come 1973 FAMAS
awards, Vilma had her vengeance. She won over Nora, but she shared the award with Boots
Anson-Roa. It's not a complete victory.

6. More escapist films. Trilogy thrillers like Takbo, Vilma, Dali and Hatinggabi Na Vilma did
not prove anything new. It's Vilma Santos playing Vilma Santos. Nora was more serious and
ambitious with Paru-parong Itim. She was always ahead of Vilma. She had the killer instinct.
A natural, intuitive actor to Vilma's "intelligent" acting - the method acting. Then came Lipad,
Darna, Lipad and the "other" Box Office Queen was born. Forget artistic films. Nora had to
reclaim the throne. There was Super Gee. Vilma fought back with Wonder Vi, more Darna
movies, even the forgettable Vivian Volta. It was Tit for Tat.

7. Those Nora Aunor Eyes. The Hilda Koronel challenge. In Minsa'y Isang Gamu-Gamo and
Insiang, Nora and Hilda duked it out at the 1976 MMFF for best actress. Hilda won over Nora.
The critics hailed the new 2 Dramatic Queens. And there was the poor third-placer Vilma
playing Vilma ad infinitum in escapist fares. Time to regroup.

8. Burlesk Queen, 1977 - in this film, Vilma proved she was ready for the big league: to be
called an A-1 actress. It was a new Vilma, bold, daring, different. To hell with Miss Goody Two
Shoes-image. Shocked and awed, the critics and the fans embraced Vilma, the Actress. She
won the trophy for Best Actress, her first of 3 MMFF's. (She had a MFF trophy in 1993 for
Dolzura Cortez Story). Who would forget her "abortion scene" as she gyrated and bled almost
to death?. She was also good in her scene with her dying father (Leopoldo Salcedo). The
critics took a second look at Ate Vi. But no, she was not yet in the league of Nora, Hilda,
Lolita et al. There was still something missing.

9. The Battle Royale. Let the Acting Duel Begin. In 1978, there were Ikaw Ay Akin (Nora,
Vilma, Christopher), Atsay (Nora) and Rubia Servios (Vilma). In the "eye-to-eye" dialogue of
Nora and Vilma in Ikaw.. before the ending, Nora was superior to Vilma. But in her
breakdown, pill popping, cigarette-puffing, angst-ridden scenes, Vilma was at her best. The
Urian nominated the 2 deserving rivals for Best Actress. Of course, there was the Atsay and
the rape victim contest at the MMFF. Nora and Vilma, as per the Manunuri movie anthology
book were equally good in their roles, but again, Nora prevailed, with the Best Performer
award. Ms. Santos was crushed. She had some re-grouping to do. She was humble in defeat
as well in victory. She didn't give up. She would try harder next time. She is only second best,
remember?

10. The early 80's belonged to Vilma. While she stuck with Ishmael Bernal, Nora was Lino
Brocka's new protege. Mr. Brocka was so awed with Nora in Ina Ka ng Anak Mo, he cursed:
"Ang galing ng p... niya!" The critics agreed. She received her 2nd. of 7 MMFF best actress
trophies, tying with Ms. Rodriguez for said movie

CONTINUATION (VILMA'S GROWTH AS AN A-1 ACTRESS --SEE ABOVE).

10. The 80's belonged to Vilma. Nora would rule the Metro Manila Filmfest (7 trophies),
(Vilma has 4), but Vilma did better at the box-office nationwide with record-breaking
commercial and artistic hits, from Sinasamba Kita to Saan Nagtatago Ang Pag-Ibig, et al. In
1983, she made history for scoring the real Best Actress Grand Slam for Relasyon. Even the
critics were awed by her wide range of acting prowess. Thus, she won three Urian trophies
three years in a row for 3 diparate roles: Relasyon (mistress), Broken Marriage (independent
housewife)and Sister Stella L (activist-nun). Her other noteworthy scenes: slapping incident
with Gloria Romero, and bursting into hysterical,albeit triumphant laughter in Kapag Langit
ang Humatol. Brilliant in Tagos ng Dugo, esp. her breakdown scene after a murder spree:
"Hindi ko sinasadya, hindo ko sinasadya." Guilt, remorse, helplessness all at once. Superb!
FAMAS deservedly gave her her 4th. statuette. (She eventually won her 5th. FAMAS for
Ibulong Mo sa Diyos, for her first role as a blind person, elevating her to the FAMAS HAll of
Fame, years ahead of Nora, who would have her turn of course). In Sinungaling Mong Puso
(with Aga Muhlach), while in a car, nervously smoking and anxious, and a flat, worried affect,
after breaking up w/ Aga. In Pahiram ng Isang Umaga, as a cancer patient, a new Vilma has
again revealed her range: her first, real, restrained turn, beginning with the scene where the
doctor revealed she has malignant brain tumor, to her death scene at the beach. Urian gave
her her 4th. trophy.

11. The 90's - it's still Nora vs. Vilma, but on a higher level. Nora almost scored a real Grand
Slam for Andrea..but Vilma spoiled it by beating her at the Urian (Vilma's 5th. Urian) for
Ipagpatawad Mo, another restrained, brilliant turn as a mother of an autistic child. Her best
scene was when she confronted Christopher De Leon on why he is embarrassed of their
autistic son, without the usual hysteria of Broken Marriage or Relasyon. In Dolzura Cortez
Story, Vilma as an AIDS victim scored her 2nd. Real GS, including her 6th. Urian. Nora Aunor
did better than Vilma by scoring her 1st. GS in The Flor Contemplacion Story, and her 1st.
International trophy (Cairo), followed her finest performance (next to Himala) in Bakit May
Kahapon Pa, leading to her 2nd. international trophy (Penang). Vilma answered back with
another tour de force performance and 3rd. GS via Bata, Bata, and her 1st. International
award (Brussells). So who wins?

12. Dekada 70 - If Vilma wins in the Urian, it will be her 4th. Grand Slam victory and her
record 8th. Gawad Urian, the winningest actress in Urian history. The role was originally
offered to Nora but as fate would have it, Vilma was born to be Amanda Bartolome. The
critics were unanimous in saying that this is one of Vilma's best in years. Brilliant! Pooh-pooh
to the MMFF. Can Nora be far behind? Let's wait and see.

(Responding to some corrections and comments from readers)

Kung babasahin mo uli ang article ko ay hindi ako biased. Matter of fact, sabi ko pa nga ay
laging ahead si Nora Aunor sa acting duel nila ni Vilma Santos, beginning with And God
Smiled At Me, to her International Acting Trophies for Flor C. and Bakit May Kahapon Pa.
Nagkamali lang ako doon sa Andrea movie niya where Gina Alajar won for CMMA kaya siya
di naka-GS for Andrea. I think it was for Ang Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M. na tinalo ni Vilma
(Ipagpatawad Mo) si Nora sa Urian in the 1991 contest. I also failed to mention the fact that
Nora is the Original Grand Slammer in 1976 for Tatlong Taong.. where the Urian and the
FAMAS(the 2 existing award-giving bodies at the time) gave her the best acting awards. But
for me, the FIRST REAL Grand Slam was that of Vilma for Relasyon (1982), dahil 4, repeat, 4
award-giving bodies thought her performance for Relasyon was the best that year, although I
think Nora's Himala is, to me, her best work ever, and that dapat nag-tie man lang sila ni
Vilma. Kahit noong 1978 Urian where Charito Solis won for Ina, Kapatid, Anak, mas matindi
ang role ni Nora for Ina Ka Ng Anak Mo and should have won for it, but we cannot control the
"critics' " choices. But you are free to voice your comments, but be fair din. If I am really
biased w/ my "chronicle" on Vilma's ascendancy to the Great Actress that she is today, along
side with the equally great Nora, I challenge you to correct me. I've researched the books, I've
watched their movies, I surfed the Internet, etc. Kung may panahon ka ay basahin mo ang
Urian Anthology(ies) of Movie Reviews at matatauhan ka sa mga reviews nila. I believe in this
group, as the most credible of all the award-giving bodies. Sila nga ang notorious for being
Noranians, but they are also fair in that they don't care if you are Nora or Vilma, they give
credit where it is due. Kaya't if Vilma "loses" in their May 17th. contest, ewan ko na lang,
maybe I'll start doubting their credibility. From YCC, to PASADO, STAR, and FAP, Vilma
Santos, the once upon a time 2nd. best to the Great Nora Aunor, should be 2002's best for
her surprisingly non-hysterical, quiet, brilliant, insightful turn as Mother Courage of the 70's,
which she is, for Dekada 70. Peace! Enjoy our great thespians' continuing contests (La
Santos vs. La Aunor). C'est la vie!